Target



F. LOCKHEAD Sept. 10, 1935.

TARGET Filed June 29, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I XNW F y INVENTOR flaw/c 4001/5770,

ATTORNEY F. LOCKHEAD Sept. 10, 1935.

TARGET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1933 Fay/v41 oc/W/E/VD,

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful target consisting of a lower half simulating a perspective landscape upon which aiming targets are made to appear and disappear at the will of the operator and an upper half formed of a blank portion upon which the strike of the bullets are actually recorded, all adapted for use in firing indoors or outdoors for training in musketry and combat firing, and it relates more particularly to what is herein referred to as an animated target, that is, one in which the objects or points constituting the target units to be aimed at are movable simultaneously, independently, or in any desired synchronization or succession, more effectively to fix the point of aim, better to attract and focus the attention and better to control the distribution of the fire of the firer using said target.

My invention further relates to a target 01' this character wherein I provide in a single vertical plane surface a close simulation of the several and varied elements which constitute a natural, outdoor landscape or combat range and which under natural conditions are variously spaced from each other and from the position of the firer, and are spread over a depth of several hundred feet, or several hundred yards, or more or less.

My invention further relates to a target of this character which enables a marksman to practice musketry and combat firing at a very wide variety of ranges without altering the distance between the marksman and the target, thus simulating in an in-door practice target the conditions which may prevail in connection with firing on an out-door combat range of relatively great distances, thereby not only permitting complete firing instruction in-doors, but also permitting the use of small, short range rifles, such as the conventional .22, in place of the large caliber rifles, thus effecting considerable saving in the cost of the ammunition used in practice and instructional firing.

My invention still further relates to a target of this character which presents a perspective appearance to simulate the appearance of natural landscape and one which is provided with aiming target units of varying sizes, to create the impression that the targets are at different distances from the firer.

My invention still further relates to a target which permits the distance between the firing point and point of impact to be governed by the setting of the sight of the rifle in accordance with the varying of the distance. of the firer from the target, to create a proper angle of flight of the projectiles, so that the projectile will strike the upper blank target section at a proper distance above the aiming target unit at which the firing is directed.

My invention further relates to a target of this character wherein the target units to be aimed at are normally concealed and are only brought to view immediately before, during, or simultaneously with the giving of the fire order, thus 10 tending greatly to increase the efficiency of the firer in effecting rapid aim, as well as in sharpening the firers power of observation and understanding of any order given in a minimum time, thus providing more effective training than could be accomplished with an assumed target, in which the target or aiming point can only be generally designated or allocated in the fire'order given the firer, and in which the firer is under no compulsion to locate and hit the assumed target in any limited amount of time as he would be in the instant case Where the time elapsing between the giving of the order and the appearance and disappearance of the target unit to be aimed at can be regulated by the instructing officer or operator.

My invention still further relates to a target of this general character in which any number or variety of aiming target units or objects may be embodied, thereby varying the nature of the practice and instruction afforded the soldier and resulting in more effective training which covers all phases of musketry and combat firing which may be encountered under average actual combat conditions in real warfare. 35.

My invention still further relates to a target of this character which can be built in sections of any suitable size, so that one or more sections may be assembled into a complete unit according to in-door and out-door requirements, the 40 number of firers using the device simultaneously, as well as the distance at which the practice is had.

My invention still further relates to a target of this general character in which the target units or other objects to be aimed at may be actuated by the officer in charge of training from any desired distance from the target itself, so

that the oflicer in charge of training may bestationed in proximity to the firer or group of firers being trained, in order to be able to give the fire orders, as well as such other instruction as the men may need, and simultaneously manipulate the target.

My invention further relates to a target of this character, the elements of which are calculated to enhance its value in training the firer in the finding of the object to be fired at, the estimation of the range or distance, and the observation of the terrain that surrounds or forms a background for such object, as well as in the instruction in tactical problems, since the various parts constituting my target can be utilized to simulate the strategical or tactical movements of an enemy force which may be represented as deployed in the landscape, hidden in trenches, camouflage-d, or in other similar situations which occur under ordinary real warfare conditions.

My invention still further relates to a target of this character which is of a knock-down and portable construction to permit instantaneous moving of the target from one position to another.

My invention further relates to a target of this character which can be manufactured and placed on location at much less cost than is ordinarily involved in the building of large, out-door targets, and which will serve the same functions.

My invention still further relates to a target of this character which includes a complementary blank portion adapted to receive the fire directed by the firer at the target units in the target proper, such complementary portion being easily replaceable and being of an inexpensive construction, so that the target proper is not itself subjected to the fire of the marksman. The size and blank character of the upper complementary portion renders the target device extremely flexible, in that it enables the firer to assume different ranges or distances between the point of firing and the target, the missiles fired at said target hitting and recording upon the upper blank complementary portion at a fixed height at a distance above the target units corresponding to the ranges assumed.

My invention further relates to a target of this character which includes means associated with the target proper for assisting in the allocation of the firing point on the complementary section of the target to indicate the degree of accuracy attained by the marksman.

My invention further relates to a target of this character, the construction of which lends itself to the shortening of the period of training necessary for the acquisition of a given standard of musketry or combat firing and it further relates to various other novel features of construction and advantage which are hereinafter described and claimed in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic front elevation of a target embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 representsa section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the animated target unit holders shown detached, certain parts being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the target unit holder shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 'I''I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 represents a view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating the manner in which two or more of the targets shown in Fig. 1 may be assembled.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts, my novel target consists of a main or permanent target section proper I and an auxiliary or complementary removable and renewable target section 2,

the target section I being provided with movable target units to be utilized in taking aim while the missiles fired actually hit the target section 2 at points which correspond in position to the position of the target units aimed at in the target section proper I, in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter further referred to. The face of the permanent target section I is provided with any suitable landscape effect which may have houses, hills and intervening vales 3, trees 4, tents 5,10 shrubbery 6, etc., etc., the landscape effect mentioned being depicted in perspective or relief in order to impart to the target the appearance of depth or distance inherent in a natural terrain. The permanent or target proper section I is also provided with the variously disposed slots 3, which are scattered over its area in any desired order and is carried by any suitable easel or supports I6 which are of a suitable construction adapted to permit erection or positioning of the assembled target in any desired location. The movable target units at which aim is taken are formed of bars or strips I I which have serrated or otherwise configured upper edges I2, the serrations or configurations i2 being, if so desired, made to simulate the appearance of human figures. Each target unit is detachably carried by a target unit holder, shown in Fig. 3, which consists of an L- shaped member I d in which may be positioned the longitudinal detachable filler or spacer strip E5, and which carries the springs I6 secured by the brackets Him, so that the target strip II is positioned between the spacer strip I5 and the outer vertical wall I? of the L-shaped member I4 and is constantly tensioned in position by means of the springs I6. The upper edge of the spacer strip I5 and the upper edge of the vertical wall H of the L-shaped member I4 are preferably flared outwardly as at I8 to facilitate the insertion of the target strip II therebetween, as will be seen from Fig. 4. In order to render the target unit holder adjustable to and adapted for the reception of the target strips I I of varying thicknesses, I provide the openings I51: in the bottom of the L-shaped member I4 which engage suitable lugs on the bottom edge of the filler strip I5 (see Fig. 4), whereby a detachable filler strip of the desired thickness or two or more such filler strips may be used to insure tight wedging of the target strip I I in place, by action of the spring I6. The L-shaped member I4 has secured to it an apertured lug 20 which firmly engages the rod 2| which is also engaged by the spring 22 which is anchored at 23 to any suitable point in the back support 24 of the main target section I. The arm 2| has the horizontal portion 26 which is guided in the vertical yoke 21. As shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the upper edge of the target strip II is normally below the slot 8 and hence the target strip II is hidden from view, said target strip being shown in dotted lines above the edge of the slot 8 to render the upper edge I2 thereof visible against that portion of the target I above the particular slot 8 through which the target unit II projects. The target strip II is maintained in its lower invisible position by its own weight or by means of the tension spring 22, and is raised into its upper visible position (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6), when the solenoid 30 is electrically energized by the circuit 33 and control switch 34. The solenoid 30 and its adjuncts are carried by a suitable bracket or other support 3| secured to the back 24 of the main target section I as at 25 in registration with a slot 8 for the operation of a target unit. holder, it being cal understood that a target unit holder and an actuating solenoid is provided for each of the slots 8 in the face of the target section I. The upper target section 2 consists preferably of blank or marked, inexpensive paper or other material which is detachably clamped or otherwise secured onto the upright standards or supports 35 by means of the wing nuts 36 and is adapted to receive the missiles aimed and fired at any of the target strips ii on the lower target section I. The uprightstfi are of a knockdown construction with relation to each other and to the target section i so as to be easily assembled and disassembled, and since any suitable knockdown construction which is known to those skilled in the art may be employed it is not deemed necessary to describe any specific form of such construction. 3'. designates a detachable strip which is provided with indicia 37m and is intended to aid in setting or tuning the gun sight to a compensated zero position. Thus, due to the possible inaccuracies of construction or adjustment, it is necessary, prior to actual firing training that the rifle sight be tested and, if necessary, set or adjusted, and in the present instance, prior to the training of the firer on the target units II, the firer is made to aim at one of the indicia 37x at a given distance, so that, barring extremely bad aiming, it is impossible to hit and destroy the target section l or any part thereof due to an inaccurate sighting. Therefore, if a firer aiming at one of the indicia 3120 at a given distance hits the blank target section 2 at a point above said indicia a distance proportionate to the distance for which the sight had been set, and if the hit is directly above the indicia aimed at, it would follow that the rifle is properly adjusted. If any deviation is shown, the rifle sight is adjusted to the proper position and the strip 3'5 is then removed for the practice of firing in relation to the target units ll.

By reference to the bottom section I, which constitutes the permanent target, it will be seen that the slots 8 through which the target unit strips H are adapted to be projected into view are scattered over the landscape in a manner tending to simulate the actual effect of the deployment of troops in trenches or behind trees or other obstructions or camouflaging devices used inactual warfare. Each of the several target units used is connected by an electric circuit to a single switchboard 4%! which has as many switches on it as there are target units to be operated. The oilicer in charge of training is in control of the switchboard and is positioned in proximity to the squad or group being trained while the target proper is at any desired distance and is connected to the switchboard by the electrical conductors 33. The commanding ofiicer 5 can then operate one or more of the switches 34 to bring into view one or more closely positioned or widely separated target units, simultaneously, successively or independently, and with or without preliminary designation give the order to fire, and Within any desired time after the order to is given, the target units are, by the operation of the switches referred to, again withdrawn from View, thus compelling the marksman being trained to detect or locate the target unit brought into view, despite the handicap of a camouflaging landscape, and to take aim and fire in the limited amount of time the ofiicer in charge allows for the execution of the order. When the temporary target section 2 has been shot through it can be entirely replaced by a new one or the holes made by the missiles fired can be patched up by pieces of material glued or otherwise secured to close said holes.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a manner in which two or more complete targets, as shown in Fig. 1, may be detachably joined for the purpose of large out-door installations on large combat ranges by means of any detachable connecting means 40x or other construction.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A target of the character stated comprising a lower permanent section, an upper renewable section, a movable target unit carried by said lower section in a. normally concealed position, there being an opening in said lower section in proximity to said target unit, remote control, electrically operated means for projecting said target unit into View through said opening at will, and means for returning said target unit into its normal concealed position.

2. A training target of the character stated, comprising a lower permanent section representing a natural landscape, an upper renewable section, a plurality of normally concealed movable aiming units associated with said lower target section in an order having tactical relationship to said natural landscape, and means for selec- 5O tively actuating said aiming targets singly or in any desired tactical combination to render said targets visible or invisible in any desired order.

FRANK LOCKHEAD. 

